Cases of malaria have been reported in several tourist areas in recent years
Background on the emerging
situation is available from the U.S. Center for Disease Control

Generally, this concern is no big deal.
Malaria has even been reported within the U.S. in recent years.

Just take the necessary precautions and you'll probably be fine. Chloroquine is the recommended
drug for the Dominican Republic.

Antimalarial drugs
taken correctly and consistently, along with other measures
to prevent mosquito bites, have been shown to be effective in
preventing malaria. Therefore, CDC does not discourage
travel to malaria-endemic countries.

Chloroquine
has a long history of use and safety and has been found to be well tolerated
by most people, including children. People with an allergy to
chloroquine should discuss an alternative antimalarial drug with their
health-care provider. To learn more about chloroquine, see this website:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malariadrugs.htm .

Infection with
the type of malaria found in the Dominican Republic, P. falciparum,
may rapidly result in a severe, life-threatening illness if not promptly
treated.

If you have traveled
to the Dominican Republic and you become ill with fever and other flu-like
symptoms for up to 1 year after returning from areas with malaria, you
should immediately seek professional medical care and inform your health-care
provider that you have visited a malaria-risk area.

The Ministry of Health in the
Dominican Republic has implemented malaria control measures,
including intensified surveillance, prompt case management, and intensive
mosquito control activities.